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Lot Essay
In Pucci Papaleo’s highly respected and definitive reference book ‘Ultimate Rolex Daytona’, the 18K gold reference 6263 with ‘Oyster Lemon’ dial featuring white subsidiary graphics is called “THE LEGEND”. No more fitting a name could be imagined for what is unquestionably one of the rarest and most fabled of all gold Cosmographs.
Breathtakingly rare, the present watch is the earliest of only three publicly known examples of the 18K gold Paul Newman 6263 with ‘Lemon’ dial and of those three, it is regarded as perhaps the most stunning and sublimely preserved. In the pantheon of world-class Rolex wristwatches, few can come close to matching the amazing rarity and beauty of this 18K gold screw-down pusher Paul Newman.
Christie’s is incredibly honoured to offer it here at auction for the first time in almost a decade since its first appearance in 2013. Since 2013, it has been the highlight of some of the world’s great watch collections; It first became the property of an Oceania important private collector before returning again to Europe and then to the United States. It has most recently resided in Europe, as part of a highly important private collection until being consigned for this auction.
The exclusivity and desirability of this 6263 is further enhanced by its spectacular condition, with a case in superb condition with strong proportions and deep and crisply punched hallmarks, early ‘millerighe’ chronograph pushers and bezel insert.
The Importance of the Gold Paul Newman ‘Lemon Dial’ Reference 6263
For many years it was supposed that no gold Cosmograph Daytonas with screw-down chronograph pushers existed with ‘Oyster Lemon Paul Newman’ dials. However, in 2013, the present watch created a sensation when it appeared at auction that year. The emergence of the timepiece on the public auction scene was one of the most significant moments for Rolex scholars and Daytona collectors. Commanding an impressive result, the serial number: 2’330’402, showed that it was produced very early in the production of reference 6263, predating even some of the last examples of the earlier ‘pump pusher’ references 6262 and 6264, this was clearly at a time when Rolex were experimenting with different dial types and at the time of its discovery, the present watch was assumed to be a prototype. Since 2013, two further examples have emerged publicly, exhibiting not only the same precise characteristics but also with very early serial numbers in exactly the same 2’330’*** range:
2’330’402 - The Present Watch
2’330’*** - Ultimate Rolex Daytona, Pucci Papaleo, p. 356-359.
2’330’529 – Sold for 3’722’000 CHF at Phillips Geneva, 13-14 May 2017, lot 237.
Interestingly, both the present watch and the example featured in the ‘Ultimate Daytona’ book have unusual import marks stamped on the case. The watch in the ‘Ultimate Daytona’ book is stamped in the centre of the case back with Rolex’s French import marks and the present watch is engraved with the letter ‘C’ in a square on the back of the upper-left lug, also believed to be a French import mark.
The three astounding watches listed above, are the only known confirmed examples of the 18K gold reference 6263 with ‘Lemon Paul Newman’ dials. As such, they are the rarest of all Cosmograph Daytonas, furthermore, the present watch represents perhaps the last opportunity for a collector to obtain one of these true Rolex legends on the open market.
The Paul Newman Lemon Dial History and Background
The so-called ‘Lemon’ Paul Newman refers to the rich yellow hue of the background colour, very different from the usual cream/champagne colour. It is furthermore distinguished by the white printing on the engine-turned subsidiary dials. Rolex usually produced the yellow gold ‘pump pusher’ Paul Newman Cosmograph references with champagne/gilt numbers and indexes on their totalizers which blend with the tonality of the dial as a whole, instead, the white numbers and indexes on the present ‘Lemon’ dial watch sharply contrast with the dark background providing a rather striking visual addition to the overall effect. The present reference 6263 combines all the ingredients crucial to deserve the label "a collector's dream come true", reserved for the exceptionally small elite of the world's finest timepieces: a design of extraordinary esthetical appeal, immense rarity and excellent original condition.
Reference 6263
Sporting a black bezel and screw down pushers, it inherits the legacy of reference 6240, the first of the screw down pusher Daytonas, also sporting a black bezel. The similarity is obvious, the differences much less so. As a matter of fact, however, the case design of reference 6263 is slightly bigger, and the movement is the new calibre 727, whilst reference 6240 is usually fitted with the older calibre 722 (even though early examples are known with the earlier 72B calibre, and late ones with cal. 722-1). The defining feature of both references is undeniably the presence of the screw down pushers, which make the entire watch look bigger and more sporting.
Breathtakingly rare, the present watch is the earliest of only three publicly known examples of the 18K gold Paul Newman 6263 with ‘Lemon’ dial and of those three, it is regarded as perhaps the most stunning and sublimely preserved. In the pantheon of world-class Rolex wristwatches, few can come close to matching the amazing rarity and beauty of this 18K gold screw-down pusher Paul Newman.
Christie’s is incredibly honoured to offer it here at auction for the first time in almost a decade since its first appearance in 2013. Since 2013, it has been the highlight of some of the world’s great watch collections; It first became the property of an Oceania important private collector before returning again to Europe and then to the United States. It has most recently resided in Europe, as part of a highly important private collection until being consigned for this auction.
The exclusivity and desirability of this 6263 is further enhanced by its spectacular condition, with a case in superb condition with strong proportions and deep and crisply punched hallmarks, early ‘millerighe’ chronograph pushers and bezel insert.
The Importance of the Gold Paul Newman ‘Lemon Dial’ Reference 6263
For many years it was supposed that no gold Cosmograph Daytonas with screw-down chronograph pushers existed with ‘Oyster Lemon Paul Newman’ dials. However, in 2013, the present watch created a sensation when it appeared at auction that year. The emergence of the timepiece on the public auction scene was one of the most significant moments for Rolex scholars and Daytona collectors. Commanding an impressive result, the serial number: 2’330’402, showed that it was produced very early in the production of reference 6263, predating even some of the last examples of the earlier ‘pump pusher’ references 6262 and 6264, this was clearly at a time when Rolex were experimenting with different dial types and at the time of its discovery, the present watch was assumed to be a prototype. Since 2013, two further examples have emerged publicly, exhibiting not only the same precise characteristics but also with very early serial numbers in exactly the same 2’330’*** range:
2’330’402 - The Present Watch
2’330’*** - Ultimate Rolex Daytona, Pucci Papaleo, p. 356-359.
2’330’529 – Sold for 3’722’000 CHF at Phillips Geneva, 13-14 May 2017, lot 237.
Interestingly, both the present watch and the example featured in the ‘Ultimate Daytona’ book have unusual import marks stamped on the case. The watch in the ‘Ultimate Daytona’ book is stamped in the centre of the case back with Rolex’s French import marks and the present watch is engraved with the letter ‘C’ in a square on the back of the upper-left lug, also believed to be a French import mark.
The three astounding watches listed above, are the only known confirmed examples of the 18K gold reference 6263 with ‘Lemon Paul Newman’ dials. As such, they are the rarest of all Cosmograph Daytonas, furthermore, the present watch represents perhaps the last opportunity for a collector to obtain one of these true Rolex legends on the open market.
The Paul Newman Lemon Dial History and Background
The so-called ‘Lemon’ Paul Newman refers to the rich yellow hue of the background colour, very different from the usual cream/champagne colour. It is furthermore distinguished by the white printing on the engine-turned subsidiary dials. Rolex usually produced the yellow gold ‘pump pusher’ Paul Newman Cosmograph references with champagne/gilt numbers and indexes on their totalizers which blend with the tonality of the dial as a whole, instead, the white numbers and indexes on the present ‘Lemon’ dial watch sharply contrast with the dark background providing a rather striking visual addition to the overall effect. The present reference 6263 combines all the ingredients crucial to deserve the label "a collector's dream come true", reserved for the exceptionally small elite of the world's finest timepieces: a design of extraordinary esthetical appeal, immense rarity and excellent original condition.
Reference 6263
Sporting a black bezel and screw down pushers, it inherits the legacy of reference 6240, the first of the screw down pusher Daytonas, also sporting a black bezel. The similarity is obvious, the differences much less so. As a matter of fact, however, the case design of reference 6263 is slightly bigger, and the movement is the new calibre 727, whilst reference 6240 is usually fitted with the older calibre 722 (even though early examples are known with the earlier 72B calibre, and late ones with cal. 722-1). The defining feature of both references is undeniably the presence of the screw down pushers, which make the entire watch look bigger and more sporting.